KFDM COOP Posted July 31, 2008 Report Posted July 31, 2008 Report: Griffey agrees to trade to White Sox Associated Press CINCINNATI — Ken Griffey Jr. agreed Thursday to accept a trade to the Chicago White Sox, leaving it up to the commissioner's office to approve the deal because money is involved, a person with knowledge of the discussions told The Associated Press. The Cincinnati Reds outfielder had the right to block any deal, but agreed to move to the White Sox after getting more information about the proposed trade on Wednesday morning. The person familiar with the talks spoke on condition of anonymity because the teams are not commenting. Griffey joined his hometown team before the 2000 season, agreeing to a nine-year, $116.5 million deal. The 38-year-old outfielder makes $12.5 million this season, and there's an option for 2009 at a $16.5 million salary. If a team doesn't want to pick up next year's option, Griffey will be owed a $4 million buyout under his contract. Griffey became the sixth player to reach 600 career homers this season, but has struggled at the plate. He's batting .245 with 15 homers and 53 RBIs despite playing in one of the most homer-friendly ballparks in Cincinnati. The Reds were interested in dealing Griffey because of the size of his contract and their plummet after the All-Star break, which dropped them back to the bottom of the NL Central. The Reds haven't had a winning season since 2000. The prospective deal was first reported by Foxsports.com.
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